• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 7.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax W30 advantages over Canon ELPH 300 HS

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.88 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Canon ELPH 300 HS advantages over Pentax W30

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    230k vs 115k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 7.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax W30

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon ELPH 300 HS

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Pentax W30
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax W30 vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Canon ELPH 300 HS
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $235
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Compared to Canon SD980 IS

Pentax W30
Canon SD980 IS
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax W30 vs Canon SD980 IS

Canon ELPH 300 HS
Canon SD980 IS
  • $235
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster shutter

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Canon SD980 IS

Compared to Canon SD940 IS

Pentax W30
Canon SD940 IS
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax W30 vs Canon SD940 IS

Canon ELPH 300 HS
Canon SD940 IS
  • $235
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Canon SD940 IS

Compared to Canon ELPH 100 HS

Pentax W30
Canon ELPH 100 HS
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $160
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax W30 vs Canon ELPH 100 HS

Canon ELPH 300 HS
Canon ELPH 100 HS
  • $235
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • $160
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Canon ELPH 100 HS

Compared to Canon 320 HS

Pentax W30
Canon 320 HS
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $231
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax W30 vs Canon 320 HS

Canon ELPH 300 HS
Canon 320 HS
  • $235
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $231
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More dots on screen

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Canon 320 HS

Compare Other Cameras?